ICC lets BCCI off with a warning on Kanpur pitch

Dubai, May 9 (IANS) The International Cricket Council (ICC) Friday let the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) off with a warning for preparing a “poor quality” pitch at the Green Park Stadium in Kanpur for the third and last Test between India and South Africa last month. The ICC also asked the BCCI to take remedial measures to improve the pitch quality at Kanpur and get the board’s pitch consultant Daljit Singh to assist in the process.

The BCCI has assured the ICC to take necessary steps to improve the quality of the Green Park track for future international matches and thanked the world governing body for its inputs.

Match referee for the India-South Africa series Roshan Mahanama of Sri Lanka, in his report to the ICC, expressed concern over the quality of the pitch which saw 32 wickets fall in three days.

Mahanama described the pitch as dry with uneven bounce, showing signs of breaking up even before lunch on the first day. The match referee also noted that variable bounce worsened as game progressed.

“My view is that the pitch was poor as it was too dry and had considerable turn and variable bounce from the first day… The pitch was not up to Test match standards,” Mahanama said in his report.

ICC’s general manager David Richardson said that the pitch prepared for the Kanpur Test should be rated as ‘poor.’

“We have considered the BCCI’s explanation for the dryness of the pitch and also noted that there is no previous record of a sub-standard pitch in Kanpur.

“However, taking all the evidence into account and, in accordance with clause 4.2 of the regulation, we have decided to issue an official warning.”

Richardson also added that BCCI pitch consultant Daljit Singh has been asked to investigate the matter.

The ICC had the power to impose a sanction ranging from a warning or a fine to suspend the international status of the venue.